Method of converting a double hung window construction to a pivotal and sliding construction



May 15, 1956 H. A. ETLING 2,745,149

METHOD OF CONVERTING A DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW CONSTRUCTION TO A PIVOTAL AND SLIDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 23, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 YEW in -U IN VEN TOR. HAPOZD A, 72 l/YG "01A a m y 15, 9 H. A. ETLING 2, 5, 49

METHOD OF CONVERTING A DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW CONSTRUCTION TO A PIVOTAL AND SLIDING CONSTRUCTION Filed Sept. 23, 1953 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

meow ,4. Era/Y0 "0% VOIaU-K ATTOPIVZ'YJ y 1956 H. A. ETLING METHOD OF CONVERTING A DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW CONSTRU N O A PIVOTAL AND SLIDING CONSTRUCTION T Filed Sept. 23, 1953 .5 Sheets-Sheet 3 l a a; 3 i l E I i I I I d I a s: :2 l I I I I B I 9! I. I II 03 2| INVENTOR.

HA P010 A [72 M'G BY w COM METHOD OF CONVERTING A DOUBLE HUNG WINDOW CONSTRUCTIDN TO A PIVOTAL AND SLIDING CONSTRUCTION Harold A. Etling, Marshallville, Ohio, assignor to Weather-Seal Incorporation, Barberton, Ohio, at corporation of Ohio Application September 2s, 1953, Serial No. 381,917

Claims. 01. 20-49) This inventionrelates to Window casings and to methods for. converting prior types of double hung windows to a pivotal and slidable construction.

Heretofore there have been various types of window constructions proposed by which a double hung window sash can be slid up and down, or back and forth in a casing for opening or closing the window, as desired. Other window constructions have been proposed utilizing some type of resiliently positioned strip or edge member which engages and positions at least one edge of a conventional double hung window sash for retaining same in engagement with a window casing for sliding movement therein. Hence new homes can be provided with any desired type of pivotal windows butit still is quite costly for a home owner to have his old style windows replaced with newv modern pivotal and sliding windows. Yet many people would like to have their old style windows changed to pivotal and sliding windows if such change could be made quickly and inexpensively.

It is the general object of the present invention to avoid and overcome the difficulties with presently known types .of slidable, double hung window constructions and to provide a-quick and inexpensive method of converting old style sliding Windows to pivotal and slidable windows.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel pivotal and sliding type of a window sash that can easily be constructed from a conventional double hung sliding window and a novel method of effecting such conversion. The foregoing and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made more apparent as the specification proceeds.

For a better understanding of the present invention, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings which disclose one presently best known embodiment of the principles of the invention, and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a front elevation partially broken away and shown in section, of a window construction embodying the principles of the invention;v

Figs. 2 and 3am enlarged; horizontal cross sections, partially broken away, taken on lines 2-2 and 3-3 of Fig. l; i

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 2 showing the edge engaging strip in its operative position; and i Fig. 5 is a section similar to Fig. 4 showing the edge engaging strip in its retracted or inoperative position.

In referring to corresponding parts in the accompanying drawings and the following specification, corresponding reference numerals will be used to facilitate correlation between such parts.

The invention will be described with relation to the converted window construction ultimately secured from a slidable double hung window of conventional construc tion by practice of the method of the invention.

Reference now should be had to the details of the structure shown in the drawings and there is shown a window casing which is indicated in general by the numeral 1. This window casing 1 is shown as position- ICC 2 ing upper and lower sashes 2 and 3, respectively, as conventional double hung window sashes for sliding movement. The casing 1 is shown as including substantially conventionally positioned vertical extending frame membets 4 and 5 on opposite sides of the casing 1, and the frame member'4 is shown as having guides or stops 6 and 7 positioned at opposite margins thereof on the inner and outer portions of the casing 1 with relation to the structure in which the casing is positioned. Likewise, similar guides or stops 8 or 9 are provided on the margins of the frame member 5 and these guides or stops aid in positioning the sashes'2 and 3 for sliding movement in the casing 1 In order to position one edge of the sashes 2 and 3 in the casing 1, and to permit pivotal movement of the sashes as will hereinafter appear, the casing frame member 4 has secured thereto a pair of hinge and guide plates I 10 and 11 that normally extend the height of the casing 1 and which are positioned in spaced but parallel relationship ontheframe member 4. These hinge and guide plates 10 and 11 are adapted to receive and pivotally engage with hinge means 12 and 13 which are individually secured, respectively, tothe upper and lower sashes 2 and 3, as by means of wood screws 14. Usually the hinge and guide plates 10 and 11 are secured to the frame memher 4 by screws 15. Figs. 2 and 3 best show the construction previously referred to and ,it will be seen that the hinge and guide plate 10 has the lower sash 3 pressing against the front or inner surface whereby this plate 10 forms one positioning means for the lower sash 3. The remaining guide plate 11 forms the other member for defining more or less ofa channel in which the edge of the lower sash 3 is receiyedfor sliding movement. The guide or stop 6 forms the other member for defining the position of the upper sash 2., Usually the hinge means or plates 12 and 13 provided are more or less roughly Z-shaped in section with one end portion of same being received within an edge recess 16 and 17 formed in the upper and lower sashes 2 and .3, respectively. ,These recesses 16 and 17 are adapted to receive therein a con' ventional spiral type sash balance 18 the lower end 19 of each which is engaged with the lower portion of the sashes 2 and'3. The hinge means used permit free slid- As an important feature ofthe invention, a pair ofretractable edge strips are provided for being positioned in the planes defined by the window sashes 2 and 3 to temporarily or releasably engage the edge of same opposed to that secured to the hinge and guide plate means 10 and 11. A center guide or stop 20 is suitably secured to and extends from the vertically extending frame mem-' ber 5. Elongate strips or rails 21 and,22 are snugly re ceived between the-guides, or stops 8 and 20, and 20 and 9 to form a substantially weather-tight connection therebetween, but still to permit relativev movement between the strips 21 and 22 and their associated guide means. Figs.

2 and 3 of the drawings show that ribs 23 and 24 are and 3. Normally the strips 21 and 22 extend completely the vertical height of the casing 1 and are positioned thereby against any vertical movement.

Fig. 3 of the drawings clearly shows that appreciable clearance is provided between the adjacent surfaces of the frame member 5 and the strips 21 and 22 when the springs 27 have urged such strips out into engagement with the sashes 2 and 3 whereby a force manually applied to the exposed surfaces of the strips 21 and 22 can move the strip or strips laterally outwardly towards the frame memberS against the forces set up by the springs 27. Such outward movement of the strips 21 and 22 is of sufficient extent as to disengage the ribs 23 and 24 from the grooves 25 and 26 in the window sashes to free such edges from the casing 1 and all means associated therewith. Accordingly, the sashes 2 and 3 then can be pivoted or swung inwardly of the casing about the hinges provided therefor. Usually the ends of the springs 27 engaged with the strips 21 and 22 are received in recesses 28a provided in such strips.

A feature of the present construction is that the strips 21 are positioned by use of means which limit or curtail the extent of relative separating movement between the strips 21 and 22 and the frame member 5 with which they are associated. Accordingly, some means such as screws 28, which may have washers 29 associated with them to form the head means to the screw, secure the strips 21 and 22 to the casing frame member 5 but permit the springs 27 to urge such strips into normally spaced relationship with such frame means.

Yet another important feature of the construction is that a rectangular lock plate 30 is engaged with each of the screws 28 and is adapted to aid in maintaining the strips 21 and 22 in their operative or inoperative position, dependent upon the specific positioning of such lock plate with relation to the screws at any given instance. These look plates 30 are shown as being slotted at 31 with the slot extending substantially longitudinally thereof, and with a pair of upstanding side flanges 32 being provided in opposed relation on a pair of opposite sides of the lock plates 30. The flanges 32 engage with the washers 29 and such flanges are of proper depth or height that when the screws 28 are engaged with the flanged portion 32 of the lock plate 3%, the strips 21 and 22 are moved to their positions adjacent the casing frame member 5, which is their inoperative position, and at which time the strips are not engaged with the sashes 2 or 3. Usually an end or stop flange 33 is formed on an end of the lock plate 30 and it protrudes farther from the plate than the flanges 32 to form a convenient stop to limit relative movement between the lock plates and the screws 28 positioning same. Sliding movement of the lock plates from one position to another is facilitated by inclined end portions 32a on the flanges 32.

Fig. 5 shows that there is a little clearance between the strips 21 and 22 and the frame member 5 when the strips are inoperatively positioned. By this type of a construction, a person is able to depress the strips 21 and 22 further outwardly of the casing 1 when the strips are inoperatively positioned and it is desired to position same operatively. Such further movement of the strips 21 and 22 effects a release of the lock plates 30 and, since the end flanges 33 are normally at the lower ends of the loci; plates 30 and the slots 31 are vertically positioned, will permit gravity to slide the lock plates from their positions holding the strips 21 and 22 in their inoperative positions to released positions at which time the strips 21 and 22 will be automatically urged inwardly of the casing 1 for engagement with the grooves 25 and 26 provided in the sashes 2 and 3. Usually the lock plates 30 are received in recesses 34' that are formed in the exposed surfaces of the strips 21 and 22.

It will be appreciated that in some instances it may not be necessary toposition the lock plates 30 in exactly the manner shown herein and such lock plates may have horizontal movement in some instances. Or, the lock plates may have limited movement in a recess provided in the strips 21 and 22 and not have any slots formed in the lock plates, and with the screw 28 or equivalent member merely engaging an edge portion of the lock plate which then would have limited movement in a positioning recess formed in the strips 21 and 22. Furthermore, in some instances it might be desired to invert the lock plates 30 and this would cause gravity to help draw the lock plates down into their positions locking the strips in inoperative positions. Rotary types of cam or other lock means may also be used on the strips 21 and 22 to limit the positions of same. The strips 21 and 22 may even be positioned for longitudinal movement in some cases and have the lock and release means formed therein or secured thereto.

It should be observed that the construction described can readily be made from a conventional double hung window casing by a relatively few operations. First of all, the guide stop would be removed from engagement with the vertically extending frame member 4 and a replacement or filler block 50 would normally be substituted therefor. The stop 7 also would be reduced in depth to provide room for the hinge and guide plate means 11. Next, the edges of the window sashes 2 and 3 adjacent this frame member 4 would be routed out or a groove would otherwise be formed therein for receiving the balances provided, if such edges had not previously been grooved. The hinge and guide plate means 10 and 11 and the hinges 12 and 13 would next be secured to the frame member 4 and the sashes 2 and 3, respectively, and such edge portion of the construction would be complete. v V

The conversion of the window sashes to a pivotal type of operation is completed by cutting off an edge portion of the sashes 2 and 3 so that such sashes extend in width across the casing 1 only to the innermost edge of the stop 20. Then the grooves 25 and 26 would be cut in the edges of the sashes 2 and 3 for receiving the retractable sash positioning strips 21 and 22 to be used in the casing It. Such strips 21 and 22 would be suitably secured to the casing member 5 by the particular type of lock and securing means to be used in such a construction, and the window casing would be effectively converted to a pivotal and sliding type of a double hung window.

In operation, it will be appreciated that the sashes 2 and 3 can he slid up and down in the casing 1 and the exposed portions of the strips 21 and 22 can be individually moved into an operative or inoperative position, as desired. The sashes 2 and 3 next would be shifted to their opposite positions, and the remaining lengths of the strips 21 and 22 would be exposed for varying the positioning thereof. Since the sashes 2 and 3 are completely supported on the hinge and side plates and hinge means shown in combination with the balances provided, the person releasing the sashes from the casing 1 need not support the sashes at such time, whereby engagement of the sashes with the casing, or release of same therefrom is greatly facilitated. Furthermore, the balances 18 may be so constructed that they will automatically swing a sash, when released from the. casing 1, inwardly of the casing to secure an automatic releasing action of same from the casing.

From the foregoing, it is submitted that a relatively uncomplicated conversion method has been provided which permits an old style window sash to be readily converted to have pivotal and swinging movement with relation to its support casing whereby it is submitted that the objects of the invention are achieved.

While one complete embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein, it will be appreciated that modification of this particular embodiment of the invention may be resorted to without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. That method of converting a conventional vertically extending sliding double hung window construction having the sliding window sashes to a construction having pivotal and sliding sashes, comprising the steps of securing hinge and guide means to one vertically extending edge of a window casing and the edges of the window sashes thereadjacent for pivotal and sliding movement of the sashes, reducing the lateral dimensions of the window sashes to free the remaining vertically extending edges of same from the casing, forming a stepped edge portion on such remaining vertically extending edge of each of said sashes, and securing laterally retractable resiliently positioned sash edge engaging members in the casing for releasable engagement with the stepped edge of said sashes to position same in the casing for sliding movement.

2. That method of converting a conventional vertically extending sliding double hung window construction having two sliding window sashes to a pivotal sash window construction, comprising the steps of providing window sashes of reduced lateral dimensions with relation to the original sashes, securing hinge and guide means to one vertically extending edge of a window casing and the edges of the window sashes thereadjacent for pivotal and sliding movement of the sashes, forming a stepped edge on the remaining vertically extending edge of each of the sashes, and securing laterally retractable resiliently positioned sash edge engaging members in the casing for releasable engagement with the stepped edge of the sashes to position same in the casing for sliding movement.

3. That method of converting a conventional vertically extending sliding double hung window construction having two sliding window sashes to a pivotal sash window construction, comprising the steps of providing window sashes of reduced lateral dimensions with relation to the original sashes, securing a pair of spaced parallel positioned hinge and guide means to one vertically extending edge of a window casing to provide guide stops for the sashes, securing hinges to the edges of the window sashes adjacent the hinge and guide means for engaging such means for pivotal and sliding movement of the sashes, forming a stepped edge on the remaining vertically extending edge of each of the sashes, and securing laterally retractable resiliently positioned sash edge engaging members in the casing and extending the height thereof for releasable engagement with the stepped edge of the sashes to position same in the casing for sliding movement.

4. That method of converting a conventional vertically extending sliding double hung window construction having two sliding window sashes to a construction having pivotal and sliding sashes, comprising the steps of removing the center guide stop and front guide stop of one side of the window casing, securing pairs of spaced interengaging hinge and guide means to the one side of the window casing and the edges of the window sashes thereadjacent for pivotal and sliding movement of the sashes, the hinge and guide means serving as center and front stops for the sashes, reducing the lateral dimensions of the window sashes to free the remaining vertically extending edges of same from the casing, forming a stepped edge portion on such remaining vertically extending edge of each of said sashes, and securing laterally retractable resiliently positioned sash edge engaging members in the casing for releasable engagement with the stepped edge of said sashes to position same in the casing for sliding movement.

5. That method of converting a conventional sliding double hung window construction having two window sashes to a pivotal and sliding window comprising removing the center stop on one edge of a window casing, securing hinge and guide means to such one edge of the window casing and the edges of the window sashes thereadjacent for pivotal and sliding movement of the sashes, cutting 011? the opposite edge portions of the window sashes to free same from the casing, forming a longitudinally extending groove in each of said cut-oil edges of said sashes, and securing resiliently positioned retractable sash edge engaging members to the casing for releasable engagement with said grooved edges of said sashes to position same in the casing.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Hamelin June 29, 1948 

